Lancaster official to take paid leave as FBI probes alleged misconduct
The Town of Lancaster’s highway superintendent will take a paid leave of absence while FBI agents investigate allegations that he misused town labor and equipment for his own benefit.
Richard L. Reese Jr., who was arrested after a confrontation with FBI agents last week, will continue to collect his weekly salary of about $1,380 while the FBI probe continues, authorities said.
Reese, 57, of Wehrle Drive, was charged with assaulting federal agents April 1 after he allegedly fought with two FBI agents who came to his home and tried to question him about his town duties.
The FBI accused Reese of making threatening and suicidal statements to the agents and fighting with them when they tried to keep him from leaving a room where he was being questioned. Agents also said two unregistered handguns were found in the home.
U. S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder Jr. on Thursday ordered that Reese can be released from jail as long as he adheres to a series of conditions.
“[Reese] is doing much better than he was last week,” said Reese’s attorney, Joel L. Daniels. “He has been having a very tough time dealing with the recent death of his wife.”
Donna Reese, the highway official’s wife of 35 years, died Jan. 31, Daniels said.
According to court papers, FBI agents went to Reese’s home last week to question him “regarding allegations that in his official capacity, he had used town labor, equipment and materials for his personal benefit.”
Reese acknowledged to agents that he sometimes “diverted town cash” from a scrap metal recycling program and had used that money for personal reasons, agents said. Reese told them he always paid the money back, except for one recent instance involving $2,800, according to agents.
Reese denied misusing town money or equipment on any other occasion, agents said in court papers.
After the questioning erupted into a physical confrontation, authorities charged Reese with assaulting federal agents. He also faces a misdemeanor state charge of unlawful possession of unregistered handguns, which the FBI confiscated from the home.
Reese, an elected town official, has been jailed since his arrest, but Schroeder said Thursday that he could be released under the following conditions:
• He would be supervised by the U. S. Probation Office and would continue mental health treatment.
• He would surrender his pistol permit and any firearms or destructive devices to which he has access.
• One of his sons would have to move in with him to keep an eye on him.
• He would be on voluntary paid leave from his $71,892-a-year town job and could not go to Town Hall or contact any town officials.
Assistant U. S. Attorney Paul J. Campana said the government would not seek for Reese to remain in custody as long as he abides by the judge’s conditions.
Town Supervisor Robert H. Giza and Town Attorney John Dudziak could not immediately be reached to comment on the town’s continuing to pay Reese while he is on leave.
The FBI investigation into Reese is continuing, authorities said, but so far, the only charges filed against him involve the confrontation at his home.
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